I love picturing this, Jesus addressing a bunch of learned lawyers and professional ministers, feeding them these nuggets of truth…
“You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.”
John 5:39-40 (The Message)
Does it get any more clear than that? Religion doesn’t save. Religious practice doesn’t save. The bible doesn’t save. The law doesn’t save. Knowledge of the bible doesn’t save. Being good doesn’t save. All of that points to Jesus and Jesus alone saves.
Befriend Him. Love Him. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. Walk with Him. He is.